MINE RESCUE ACTIVITY BOOK – Section IV MSHA 2208 NOVEMBER 1981 JUNE 2005

Northern Mine Rescue Association

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Purpose: The team will practice carrying out a rescue assignment that requires using an airlock. Type: Underground work problem.

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Materials: Foam generator Apparatus Team Equipment Gas detectors map and mapboard Communication equipment Stretcher and blanket First aid kit Scaling bar Extra approved apparatus Fresh air base equipment Communication equipment Map Placards for indicating fir and smoke conditions Tools for building bulkhead

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Arrangements: 1. Arrange to use a a refuge chamber as the barricaded areas. (If you do not have a refuge chamber, a bulkhead with a man door could be used as the barricade.) Otherwise, you will have to have a barricade built in preparation for this activity. 2. Arrange for someone to play the role of the uninjured survivor. 3. Set up a simple fresh air base a distance from the barricaded area. 4. Have someone stay at the fresh air base to handle communications from the team. 5. Also, have someone at the fresh air base serve as the communication line, or cable attendant. 6. Prepare copies of a map of the barricaded area.

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Description: Have the team or benchman prepare the apparatus. When ready, the team should report to you with their apparatus and equipment. Give the team’s mapman a map showing the barricade and the route of travel to it. Tell the team that the area has been explored. The team’s job therefore is to go in, put in a airlock and bring out any survivors found behind the barricade. The captain should then lead the team to the fresh air base, have the team members check their equipment and get under oxygen. When the team is ready, let them begin their assignment. You should accompany them to observe and evaluate their performance. The individuals staying at the fresh air base should stand by ready to perform their duties. Debrief the team when they return.

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Evaluation Use the following checklist to aid you in evaluating the team’s performance. Be sure to list and discuss any problems the team encountered.

Activity 12 - Evaluation

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation – Level 1 Purpose: The team will practice assessing post disaster conditions to determine the hazards present and the procedures that should be followed in carrying out the recovery work. Type: Classroom discussion.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Materials: Level or section map showing post disaster conditions (use the one provided or make your own.)

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Arrangements: 1. Give team a copy of a level or section map showing past disaster conditions and, if possible, project the map as an overhead transparency or as a PowerPoint projection.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Description: Describe the recovery situation to the team. (You can use the sample provided below as a guide.) Also, give the team a map depicting the situation. Ask the team to discuss the hazards of the situation and what procedures they would follow in carrying out their assignment.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Sample Recovery Situation (Single level mine) Because efforts to fight the fire directly have failed, an area of a mine has been sealed. The plan is now to reopen the sealed area by means of progressive ventilation. Recent air samples indicated no traces of CO in the sealed area and a low oxygen level.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Sample Recovery Situation (Single level mine) Look now at the map. Another rescue team has already put up a air lock in No. 4 Entry. Your team’s assignment is to go in, explore, and assess conditions. Be sure to check all entries and crosscuts and tie-in as you go. Do not advance any farther than two break through’s.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Sample Recovery Situation (Single level mine) 1. What hazards might you encounter as you explore the area? 2. How would you advance and what tests should you make as you advance? 3. What conditions should you be reporting on? 4. How many bulkheads are needed to reseal the unexplored area and where should the bulkheads be placed?

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Answers to Sample Recovery Situation The hazards the team might encounter are: Toxic or explosive gases Weakened ground conditions (because of the heat from the fire). Hot spots or smoldering material (These could flare up into fires or cause a gas ignition).

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Answers to Sample Recovery Situation The team should tie-in all entries and crosscuts and take temperature readings, test the back and sides and test for gases as they advance. You may wish to have the team describe in exactly what order they would explore the entries and crosscuts.

Activity 13 – Determining Hazards and Procedures in a Recovery Operation Answers to Sample Recovery Situation The team should report on: Gas conditions Ground conditions The condition of all ventilation controls The condition of any power lines, communication lines, or air or water lines in the area. Eight bulkheads are needed to reseal the unexplored area. See the maps below for placement of bulkheads

Sample Situation Map

Activity 12 – Using an Air Lock to rescue a Survivor - Level 2 Evaluation Use the following checklist to aid you in evaluating the team’s performance. Be sure to list and discuss any problems the team encountered.

Activity 13 - Evaluation

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Purpose: To provide mine rescue training not only for the teams but for other mine personnel who would be involved in the event of an actual mine rescue situation.

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Description and Arrangements: A mock disaster is a simulation of an actual mine rescue operation. It requires setting up a command center, establishing a fresh air base, and deploying teams on a rotation schedule. The idea is not new. A number of companies already use a mock disaster training session as part of their total emergency preparedness training.

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Description and Arrangements: The preparation necessary for putting on a mock disaster training session include: Preparing areas for a command center and fresh air base (both with necessary communications) An underground area the team will be working in (placards can be used to indicate various conditions). You will need to have maps of the underground area. A briefing and team assignments A team rotation schedule An area set aside for teams to prepare and clean their apparatus.

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Description and Arrangements: The personnel needed to carry out the mock disaster include: Mine rescue teams (at least three, although four is probably the optimum number for a single days training session) Appropriate safety and management people to man the command center and fresh air base It’s also important to involve the other surface personnel who should be called in on a real rescue situation. For instance, you can have guards checking people as they come on property, a supply clerk, lamp man, mine electrician, mechanical foreman, and so on.

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Description and Arrangements: Additionally, you may want to invite MSHA and (where applicable) state officials to observe or participate in the mock disaster. And, you’ll need equipment and food for all people. Obviously, a mock disaster training session requires the participation of quite a few people, particularly. Management-level people. While it can be a significant outlay of money and time, a mock disaster training session can also be an extremely valuable training experience. For the teams, its realistic training session, and for the people in charge, its an opportunity to practice coordinating and directing rescue work.

Activity 14 – Mock Disaster Training Session – Level 2 Evaluation Use the following checklist to aid you in evaluating the team’s performance. Be sure to list and discuss any problems the team encountered.

Activity 14 - Evaluation